I Heart Books: October 2013

Thursday, October 31, 2013

¨.¸¸.✶¨`Fall of Darkness Blog Tour.✫¨*.¸¸.✶¨`

Title: Fall of Darkness

Author: Elle Bright

Series: The Darkness Chronicles #1

Publication: July 5th, 2013

Category: Adult

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis:

One woman, the fate of the world in her unknowing hands. One man, sworn to destroy her. A love so strong it defies nature. In a world of obsession, deception and betrayal, the line between good and evil fades, but one truth remains absolute. Darkness must fall.

For centuries, werewolf, Dominic Ridolfi, has battled the demons of the night, upholding the sacred pact to protect man from vampires. Yet when sent to destroy the long lost Cacciatori heiress, the vampire prophesied to free her kind from the curse of darkness, he finds himself reluctant to complete his task. The innocent beauty awakens his humanity and Dominic finds himself not in the role of assassin, but savior.

Swept away in a whirlwind romance, Kate loses herself in Dominic’s mysterious world of opulence and seduction. But Dominic has a secret. He knows the truth about Kate’s past, and her future, truths with the power to destroy them both. Only in her dreams does Kate sense the growing darkness within. Dominic saved her once, but can she save herself from the darkness within?

REVIEW:

Fall of Darkness by Elle Bright
Review by Mary Beth
4 out of 5 Stars

Ahhh, forbidden love!

What would you do if you found out everything you believed about yourself to be a lie and the person who you fell in love with is not all they appear to be?

This is the case for Kate, a beautiful girl that doesn't know her true purpose in life. She is the heir to the Vampire throne and the savior of their race but does she know that, nope she doesn't find out until after she is saved by Dominic, a dark handsome stranger. They quickly fall in love but she finds that there is more to him that meet the eye. When she makes the change from human to vampire she feels lost and broken and betrayed.

Dominic is the dark handsome stranger but he is also a werewolf assassin sent to kill Kate before she reaches her destiny. What he doesn't expect is to imprint on her and fall desperately in love with her at first sight. He decides to go against his family and his kind to follow his heart, repercussions be damned. Will he end up losing it all when he finally tell Kate the truth not only about her but about himself as well?

Alex, oh poor Alex was promised Kate from the time of her birth. He has watched over her over the years and has grown to love her very much. He has been there for her since her change and is willing to wait to collect all of the pieces she is willing to give.

Will she choose love over family and betray her kind? Who is lying to her, who can she trust, and what will become of her?

I really enjoyed reading this story. Ms. Bright has given us slightly different spin on the Vampire and Werewolf kind has taken some of the lore from all different areas, but made it her own. It was nice to read a story that wasn't your normal cookie cutter vampire or werewolf novel. The characters were well thought out and presented and the story had a great flow to it. I was sad to see it end so quickly but I can only hope that we will be getting the rest of the story so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Welcome to my stop for the Fall of Darkness blog tour, organized by Grapevine Book Tours.

Author bio:

Elle Bright grew up in Layton, Utah. Elle currently resides in San Diego, California, with her husband, their three children, and their border collie. Elle graduated from Grand Canyon University with her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing. As a practicing Registered Nurse, Elle specializes in Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care, and Emergency Medicine. Fall of Darkness is Elle's first published novel. She is currently working on Dark Redemption, the second installment in The Darkness Chronicles. Elle is a proud member of the Romance Writers of America.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

¨.¸¸.✶¨`Pieces of Rhys Tour.✫¨*.¸¸.✶¨`

Pieces of Rhys by L.D. Davis

Synopsis

My name is Lindsey. I like extreme gardening, really good beer, obese cats, and my sexy, hot, delicious, yummy, melt in your mouth coworker Rhys. I don't like rude behavior (especially from obese cats), my abusive ex-husband Gary or his mother, and I don't like to share my toothbrush with even the likes of sex gods like Rhys.

Not too long ago, Rhys suddenly became aware of the fact that I am a real life, breathing and thinking woman. Being full-figured and short, I didn't think this would ever be possible. I mean, he's so hot, and while I'm not at all unattractive...it's just that he's so FINE. Normally, I don't think that male sluts are at all worthy of my attention, but under all of his booty calls and one nighters, Rhys is actually a very decent guy and I tend to forget - or at least forgive - the fact that he's a philanderer (even though the evidence of this is often a little too close for comfort). I know, you think I'm stupid, right? But he seems to really care for me, and I truly believe that there's some dark secret that keeps him from committing to me. So, if he can only give me pieces at a time until the truth is uncovered, so be it.

But will it cost me my heart in the end? Or something even worse?

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pieces-Of-Rhys-ebook/dp/B008I5Q0X0/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1381585351&sr=1-1&keywords=pieces+of+rhys

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pieces-of-rhys-ld-davis/1113323765?ean=2940015581645

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/247659

REVIEW

Pieces of Rhys by L.D. Davis
Review by Mary Beth
<3 <3 <3 <

What would you do?

If you were given the chance to be with the one person you have longed to be with. Even though you know you will only get hurt in the end. Would you take that chance of getting hurt just to have that one experience with them or would you save yourself the grief and heart ache and do nothing?

Lindsey is an intelligent and beautiful fuller figured women who has been through a rough time. She’s had to deal with an abusive husband (Gary) who is now Ex-husband, and self-esteem issues.

Rhys is a handsome charismatic man who does not do commitment. He has a past that he is afraid will dictate his future so he avoids any chance of one. That is until he meets Lindsey, will she break him of this habit or is he to stuck in his ways.

At work she has become slightly stalkerish when it came to Rhys but when the opportunity presented itself to take a change their relationship she has to make a decision. She needs to decide whether to go with the attraction she feels for Rhys even though she knows he won’t commit or keep things friendly between them and only dream of what it would be like. Will she take that leap and take the few pieces of Rhys she can get? Will she fight for more than he is willing to give? Will this break her?

This story was a big bag of emotions for me. I was laughing so hard at time the people around me were looking at me funny, I got angry when Rhys wanted Lindsey to open up and express herself but he told her nothing, I felt crushed right along with Lindsey when things did not go very well, I was shocked and then ecstatic as well.

One of the main reasons why I gave this story only 3 ½ stars was because there were a few times when it felt like I missed something in the story but I guess some of it was assumed and implied never really stated. I was also sad to see it end so quickly because I felt like I was really just getting to know the characters but that is my need for what happened after the ending. Overall I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

Author Bio

L.D. Davis is the New York Times Bestselling author of the novel Accidentally On Purpose and the novella Pieces of Rhys. L.D. began writing at a very young age with consistent support from teachers and friends. When she was only thirteen years old, she wrote her first romantic novella. A few years later at the age of nineteen, she completed another. Always writing, but never attempting to publish, L.D. left many projects unfinished over the years, but when she was thirty-four years old, she self-published her first full-length novel, Accidentally On Purpose. L.D. is currently working on two more books to go along with Accidentally On Purpose, two more projects to go along with Pieces Of Rhys, and several other novels.

L.D. has a serious addiction to reading, especially contemporary romance novels. She also loves the work of Dean Koontz, Janet Evanovich and classics like Lord Of The Rings and Jane Austen’s novels. She lives in a small East Coast town with her five children and husband.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LDDavisWrites?

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5817154.L_D_Davis

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

His Wounded Light Cover Reveal

Book Title: His Wounded Light

(A Light in the Wound Novel)

Author: Christine Brae

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Expected Release: December 10, 2013

Book Cover by: Cover Sparkle

The perfect life.

The perfect marriage.

The jilted lover.

Their worlds collide.

Fate intervenes twelve years later and their paths intersect once again. All three will question whether the heart is truly capable of dividing and being divided; each will decide whether it matters who you loved first or who you love last.

Together they will learn that in the end, there can always only be one.

Book 1, The Light in the Wound

Currently on SALE for $.99 for a limited time.

AMAZON

Christine Brae is a full time career woman who thought she could write a book about her life and then run away as far as possible from it. She never imagined that her words would touch the hearts of so many women with the same story to tell. She is currently working on her second book which she hopes to release in December, 2013.

When not listening to the voices in her head or spending late nights at the office, Christine can be seen shopping for shoes and purses, running a half marathon or spending time with her husband and three children in Chicago.

¨.¸¸.✶¨`The Vesik Series by Eric R. Asher Tour.✫¨*.¸¸.✶¨`

Book Info-

Title-Days Gone Bad

Series- Vesik # 1

By Eric R. Asher

Genre- Urban Fantasy

Blurb-

My name is Damian Valdis Vesik. I am a necromancer, an ability feared and hated as much as the powers my master and I set ourselves against. We've vanquished many evils, but now something is releasing an old darkness, forcing us to hunt an enemy beyond anything I’ve faced before. I was already busy enough with vampires, fairies, witches, Watchers, weddings, and … damn, I need a vacation.

- Excerpt One -

Foster’s howl shattered the night. It grew into a scream as his body began to glow. Swirls of orange and red flickered into being around him, spinning faster and growing thicker as he called on the wild fae. A swirling sphere of color like the storm clouds of Jupiter swallowed the van and Foster with it. The entire scene burst into a nova of flame and I closed my eyes against the light, the blast of heat hitting me like a desert wind. Foster’s scream fell silent. I heard his sword slide out of its sheath as he stepped from the smoke and flame. His body and wings were covered in soot, but no burns marred his flesh.

The smell hit me as the wards were dissolved by the fae-powered flames. The stench of burning skin and hair was overwhelming. I stepped away from the inferno, blinked a few times, and followed Foster into the garage.

“What will the authorities find?” I said.

“Nothing but a burned out van.” Foster’s voice was dead, his knuckles stark white with the pressure he put on the hilt of his sword.

- Excerpt Two -

I was standing outside the birdcage in the dead of night with a tiny ghost holding my hand and a seven-foot fairy watching our backs. I closed my eyes and focused, gathering up a glowing ball of fae before sending it out in a pulse of power across the park. It wasn’t aimed at just any dead; it was aimed at attracting the attention of one particular ghost. It didn’t take long.

The little girl at my side squealed as Happy came bounding through the bars of the birdcage, much to the chagrin of the scattering birds.

Happy pulled up about six inches in front of us. I held up another ball of energy and the spirit quaffed it down before I started scratching his ears. “Hey buddy, still terrorizing the birds, huh?” He leaned into the ear scratching and grunted.

“That is so wrong,” Foster said.

I turned to the little girl. She clung tightly to the back of my leg. Happy pushed his head between my legs and I heard another squeal. So, there I was, with a fairy laughing at me, a ghost panda between my legs, and a little girl unwilling to relinquish her death grip on me while she tried to get away from Happy.

Can you share the playlist you listened to while writing ‘Days Gone Bad’ with us?

Music played a role in my life long before I realized it. I went through my school career in orchestra, was raised playing the cello. I eventually picked up a guitar, wrote some songs, and joined a band. After that didn’t work out so well, I settled down into writing. These are some of the songs that helped me hammer out the first draft of Days Gone Bad.

Open Hand – Her Song

Open Hand – You and Me

My Chemical Romance – The Ghost of You

My Chemical Romance – Cemetery Drive

Brand New – Luca

Paramore – Misery Business

Evanescence – Tourniquet

Murder By Death – One More Notch

Senses Fail – Rum is for Drinking, Not for Burning

J.S. Bach – The Cello Suites (performed by Yo-Yo Ma)

Links-

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18364963-days-gone-bad?from_search=true

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00BDUUXSA

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/days-gone-bad-eric-asher/1114587408?ean=2940044308510

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/fb/book-M9GHwFIba0S343MPQ8Ux_g/page1.html

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/days-gone-bad/id603215266?mt=11&uo=4

Book Info-

Title-Wolves and the River of Stone

Series-Vesik # 2

By- Eric R. Asher

Publication Date- October 22nd, 2013

Genre- Urban Fantasy

Blurb-

Philip, Zola’s boyfriend from one hundred and fifty years ago, is not nearly as dead as we thought. I really wish he was. Not only has he kidnapped Zola, but he’s raising an army to scour humanity from the earth. Hopefully the local werewolf pack will help. What could possibly go wrong?

- Excerpt One -

I eased the bullets into my six-barreled pepperbox one at a time, forgoing the speed loader in the name of intimidation. Lewis’s eyes went wide and locked onto the gun.

“Where is she?” I said. I took a deep breath, the Missouri River beside us masking every other scent aside from the decay of the blasted zombies. The shadowed tree lines hid us from the nearby population of Saint Charles.

Lewis shook his head.

Two days ago we learned Philip was still alive. Yesterday his servants kidnapped Zola. I didn’t know why they took her, but she didn’t go quietly. The Watchers would be using a spatula to clean out the alley where she was taken.

“You sicced your zombies on us?” I said. “A fairy and a necromancer?” I glared at Lewis. “I find myself ... irritated.”

Lewis held up his hand and started to speak.

I holstered the pepperbox under my arm and wrapped my hand around the shield rune on my staff. A flowing glass surface sprang to life as a thread of power wound into the wood and metal.

“Don’t even think about it,” I said.

Despair washed over Lewis’s face. He was breaking, and I could see it.

- Excerpt Two -

Edgar’s face soured and he turned away from Zola. He looked nauseous. “Someone has to be held responsible for this mess. I’d rather prefer it be Vesik.”

“What?” I said. “What’d I ever do to you?”

Edgar leveled a glare at me.

“Ah, fair enough,” I said.

“Edgar, Ah don’t have time for this right now.” Zola gently pushed him aside with her scorched cane. Zola bent down and started digging beside the vampires and Hugh. Vik handed her a spade and she nodded her thanks.

“You may cite me if you wish,” Hugh said. He didn’t look up from the furrow he was digging in the dirt. “I have no issues with the Watchers’ duty.”

“That is kind, wolf,” Zola said. She glanced at Edgar. “Ah think we should play a game, Edgar. If you can spell this wolf’s name, you can issue him a citation.

Edgar blew out a breath. “You haven’t changed a bit, Adannaya.” He actually cracked a tiny smile and I thought my world was ending. “What is your name, wolf?”

“Hohnihohkaiyohos,” Hugh said.

Edgar glared at Zola for almost a minute. His mouth was open and his eyebrows were raised. I was waiting for him to break down crying or laughing. Instead he just shook his head.

“You get used to it Eddie,” I said as Foster snickered.

Can you share the playlist you listened to while writing ‘Wolves and the River of Stone’ with us?

Absolutely! Music has always been a large part of my life. I grew up in orchestra, playing the cello. I’ll list out some of the band and album names, and then the tracks I particularly listened to while writing. There were several more, but I’ll keep the list at a reasonable length. :)

My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade

-The Sharpest Lives

-Famous Last Words

Matt & Kim - Grand

-Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare

-I’ll Take Us Home

-Daylight

Senses Fail - Still Searching

-The Rapture

-Negative Space

-The Priest and the Matador

AFI - Decemberunderground

-Miss Murder

-Kiss and Control

-The Killing Lights

Mazzy Star - So Tonight That I Might See

-Fade Into You

-Into Dust

J.S. Bach – The Cello Suites (performed by Yo-Yo Ma)

Links-

Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18593793-wolves-and-the-river-of-stone

Kindle- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G13BDVA?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00G13BDVA&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

Nook- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wolves-and-the-river-of-stone-eric-asher/1117191316?ean=2940148559825

Kobo- http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/wolves-and-the-river-of-stone

Top Ten Urban Fantasy novels

I could probably fill this list with Patricia Briggs books, but I will restrain myself. :)

Iron Kissed - Patricia Briggs

Frost Burned - Patricia Briggs - It’s a Mercy book, therefore I adored it.

American Gods - Neil Gaiman

The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman - I’ve loved Neil’s work since The Sandman, and this book was no different.

Child of Fire - Harry Connolly - One of the darker UF novels I’ve read. The entire series is fantastic.

Greywalker - Kat Richardson - Kat is one of the nicest authors I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. Did I mention you should read these books?

Proven Guilty - Jim Butcher

Changes - Jim Butcher - A book that certainly lived up to its name.

Obsidian Butterfly - Laurell K. Hamilton

Lonely Werewolf Girl - Martin Millar - There was something raw and powerful about this book. I loved it.

What are your Top Ten Go-to books?

I’m going to cheat here, and include some entire series of books. :)

The Coldfire Trilogy by C.S. Friedman
Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Northworld by David Drake
The Sandman by Neil Gaiman
The Codex Alera by Jim Butcher
The Madness Season by C.S. Friedman
Otherland by Tad Williams
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
The Hurog Duology by Patricia Briggs

Top Ten influences in your writing

There are many authors that have inspired me with their incredible creativity and prose:

David Drake

C.S. Friedman

Neil Gaiman

Melanie Rawn

Patricia Briggs

Tad Williams

Robert Asprin - Myth Adventures was one of the earliest series I loved growing up.

Holly Lisle - Her blogs and guides on writing taught me a great deal about the craft.

The libraries in Saint Louis that enabled me to take so many wonderful adventures as a child.

The passionate teachers I had who helped instill a love for literature.

About the Author-

Eric is a former bookseller, guitarist, and comic seller currently living in Saint Louis, Missouri. A lifelong enthusiast of books, music, toys, and games, he discovered a love for the written word after being dragged to the library by his parents at a young age. When he is not writing, you can usually find him reading, gaming, or buried beneath a small avalanche of Transformers.